Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Dear Peggy:

 

Dear Peggy:

I would ask Allen to read it for me, this is a slightly long response to what I heard about chemo therapy, and its horrible side effects.

Let me respond to that. I have had two pancreatic cancer family members. Sister Christine died of it 2 years and father died of it in three months after its initial diagnosis. Andrew my brother has a lung cancer soon after my father was diagnosed, and it was located to one lobe and so it was surgically removed. As far as I know, it was a lucky thing, since he panicked after dad was diagnosed here in the US while visiting me. He had surgery right away to removed that part of the lung and missed out on dad's funeral. I ran the whole thing, with the help of cousins -Pei, Ivan, Amos and Louis and everyone.

The first thing that popped into my mind is that I could carry a gene that makes me susceptible to pancreatic cancer. Two dead ones, and one is still alive. I was told to get my body scanned, poked and checked every year, and see if early detection could save my life. I was still hurting from losing my sister - that really hurt, and for dad, not so much other than a sigh of relief. My dad and I dont see things eye to eye, and I resent the fact I am in the US, living in exile, away from family and Chinese culture. I thought about getting MRI, CT scans and other tests. In the end, I accept that I cannot change things. Maybe it may take awhile to get my turn, but I think it is coming. I am finally made peace with it. I accepted that I cannot change the future and it is my lot in life - that I am born, that I suffer and in the end I will die.

But in the midst of all that, I became also aware how precious life is. Life is a gift, I wake up, smell the familiar smell, that light the comes into my bed room, and the birds chirp and all that small but familiar noise and smell and faces. Life is a gift, and I should not take it lightly. It comes from God, the source of all goodness. I am reminded that Jesus once said to his friends and disciples, that "If you do not change your mind (repent), you will all likewise perish." Some thought bad things happened because of our failure and mistakes. It has nothing to do with it, things just happened. Tower in Siloam fell,and crushed a few resident for no good reason. Suffering, in my opinion is random and absurd. but that is not all what life is. |

I came to my own resolution. I am determine to enjoy my life, to live a good life and in whatever I do, I am not going to live in perpetuate fear of it. I got rid of people whom I dont care for - eg my wife's maternal uncles. They have not been around anymore after they continue to verbally assault and abuse me for being a Chinese, that is, in their eyes, I am a "Chinaman". I got rid of them, they no longer comes. I made some changes in my life, found my identity, instead of living in exile, I am looking forward to see China unites with Taiwan in one peaceful one big happy family, I am also determined to be buried in Taiwan right next to my grandfather. In other word, just like Christine, she went home, lived, gt sick and died and be buried there. She found her peace. I found mine.

At this time, living a long time, or living a short time no longer concerns me. If I need to do something, I'd do it, If I need to spend the time and money, I'd do it, life is short and precious, why waste it. Or in my case, why waste on people who hate you and make life worse? I'd move on, do my thing.

I no longer have the belief in the afterlife - it does not matter to me anymore, if it is there, it is a bonus. But I focus in the times I have, to live a good life, to help others when I can, yes I have lots crazy old dying patients. I treat them all royally, best I can. In time, I hope to come and visit. Have a good time, to eat, to gain a few pounds, and to make a mess wherever I go.

I no longer waste time. I enjoy life. Please smile, as I am gaining a few pounds, eat at least two eggs a day, with fresh fruits, rice and fried pork. This is why I am such against any religion that denounces Chinese deep fried crispy pork, Finally, bretherns, whatsoever things are true, honest, of a good report, think on these things, if there be any praise, and if there be any fried duck, pork, gai-lan, and mah - boa, think on these things.

See you soon.

By this holy sign + Friar Ben

Philippians 4;4-9 this phrase stuck with me "Quacumque sunt vera" "Whatsoever things are true" it comes from y childhood )teen years) in Vancouver, BC, right at the time I stayed with Peggy and all the cousins.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

The Crossing

 written in honour of my Prairie High School biology 30 teacher, as he is crossing to the other side.  I write this with images from Pilgrim's Progress, I Timothy 6:16 (splendor of light - also comes from Nestorian Hymn, San Way Meng Du) and Lord Alfred Tennyson's Crossing the Bar.  As of this writing, Mr Gerry Unger is on hospice watch.  Bless him, his passing generates such a passion from my memories of high school and my past.  

The Crossing This river stands in the way, her current most powerful, with anger and rushes This flow pushes all in her way No way, and no other way One tiny little Christian looks on with despair Is there another way, another way for me? He searches and looks forward and back No way, and no other way for me. Then he looks up and Lo, there lies Beulah Covered with golden wings, splendor of light Yet he looks on with fear, Is there a shallow for me? His friend Hope comes and says: “The depth of crossing is in thy heart. “Thy Saviour crosses ahead of Thee, paved the way “Paid for the crossing with his own life, “Call out to Him when in fear, for faith and Hope shall go with Thee” Just call, Oh Christian, thy Shepherd comes The shallow of crossing lies in thy heart River's rush and anger measures no more I saw this man, Christian with courage, Hope Plunges into this boundless deep! Alas, rushed current bears him far! Sometimes billows roll over him, he chokes Other times, his tiny head peeks up, there he breathes! As he agitates, and lo, he is no more! As I look on with wonder, a man says, “I see him, “I see him on the other side! “ He's no more, they say, He's reached the other side! Living in the splendor of light, where no one sees In that abode he rests, in the arms of his gentle Shepherd. For our Saviour paved the way This crossing, shall be, rough as it is; Yet this crossing shall be for all Crossing this current of our lives, this suffering and fear Christian made it through the Bar, The tide that bears Thee far, From boundless Deep May you meet your Pilot face to face When you have crossed the Bar.

Friday, November 25, 2022

神光離合,乍陰乍陽

 "神光離合,乍陰乍陽"

found this phrase useful in describing a Chinese view over trinity. Ancient 洛神賦 uses words to describe 'divine' or a goddess. I have heard multiple times how Chinese lack words and concept of 'transcendence' as if their minds are mostly concretized, itemized and lack of thinner and gossamer in their minds. Trinity has been worked on over centuries and most people lack words to describe it, other than "modalism" (water changes into ice, ice back to water and then thin air - vapor). Another descriptive word 'hypostasis' 'prosopon' both of these words are concretized - one as foundation (hypo -below , stasis - static, immobile) . Prosopon is used as a 'mask' as seen in Latin transferred concept of 'persona' - and that is the closest we have to the concept of trinity. When one refers to "three persons, one God" what that literally means, is that there are three persona ( per - through, sonna - sound, ergo, through which the sound comes, hence as mask. Hebrew is even more concretized, they use the word 'panim' - "face" literally, so when the "face" of the Lord shows up,. he is there, ergo, the presence of the Lord manifests itself. None of these terms are 'thinning, transcending philosophical concepts' that ancient Chinese lack. In fact, all these concepts are concretized, literal and itemized and can be readily identified. A Christian worships a God that owns and manifests in three masks. That is the literal meaning of trinity. In what way can a Chinese bring to the discussion of trinity? This phrase is useful as ancient poet Chow- Zhi in his 洛神賦, I propose to adopt the term "離合的神光", meaning, is closer to emanate, between divine and divine light. As it comes apart, yet unites and returns. In that activity. motion, that is a much better sinified concept of Christian trinity. "神光離合,乍陰乍陽" There are "things" parting, light parts from divine, as if light and darkness appears to our sight. It is between lights, moving in and out, parting and uniting, that we have this phenomenon. We have transferred an ancient description of that transcendence of light bouncing and emitting from that face of ever moving waves, and in that split of second, or motion, noting both light and darkness, uniting and parting. This is a much better description of trinity, that the son parts from the Father, leaving and parting, yet the son unites with the Father,. as if light and darkness coming together. Light and darkness is the same description of this phenomenon. There is so far, no moral and gradation scale as if light is better than darkness. It was, it is, and it shall be, as if light and darkness unites and part, and in a perpetuated motion, as if divine light parts. This is Chinese concept adopted for the use of Christian trinity.

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Mandate of Heaven

 

Mandate of Heaven : Ancient Chinese Soteriology

Ancient Chinese Classic texts:


天命之謂性;率性之謂道;修道之謂教。

  道也者,不可須臾離也;可離,非道也。是故君子戒慎乎其所不睹,恐懼乎其所不聞。

  莫見乎隱,莫顯乎微。故君子慎其獨也。

  喜、怒、哀、樂之未發,謂之中。發而皆中節,謂之和。中也者,天下之大本也。和也者,天下之達道也。

  致中和,天地位焉,萬物育焉 (《中庸》 )


人之初,性本善。性相近,習相遠。

  苟不教,性乃遷。教之道,貴以專。 (《三字經》 )


夫上古聖人之教下也,皆謂之虛邪賊風,避之有時,恬惔虛無,真氣從之,精神內守,病安從來。

  是以志閒而少欲,心安而不懼,形勞而不倦,氣從以順,各從其欲,皆得所願。

  故美其食,任其服,樂其俗,高下不相慕,其民故曰樸。

  是以嗜慾不能勞其目,淫邪不能惑其心,愚智賢不肖,不懼於物,故合於道。

  所以能年皆度百歲而動作不衰者,以其德全不危也。 (黃帝內經 素問·上古天真論原文)


 有物混成,先天地生,寂兮寥兮,獨立而不改,周行而不殆,可以為天地母。吾不知其名,強字之曰道,強為之名曰大。大曰逝,逝曰遠,遠曰反。故道大,天大,地大,人亦大。域中有四大,而人居其一焉。人法地,地法天,天法道,道法自然。

 致虛極;守靜篤。萬物並作,吾以觀复。夫物芸芸,各復歸其根。歸根曰靜,靜曰復命。復命曰常,知常曰明。不知常,妄作兇。知常容,容乃公,公乃全,全乃天,天乃道,道乃久,歿身不殆。



歸妹 54. 歸妹卦 雷澤歸妹

《彖》曰:歸妹,天地之大義也。天地不交,而萬物不興。歸妹,人之終始也,說以動,所歸妹也。征凶,位不當也;无攸利,柔乘剛也。

《象》曰:澤上有雷,歸妹。君子以永終知敝。





A body thou hast prepared.........I have come to do thy will” Hebrews 10:6

I was educated in American fundamentalism, and salvation of this teaching is about an individual, born as a sinner, with acts of sins and departure from God's holy teaching, destined to perish and eternally punished. By the acts of Christ's own death on the cross, the sinless for the sinful, and by his substitutionary atonement, Christ was able to redeem the sinful and fulfilled the acts of righteousness, and thus a sinner converted, trusted in that saving faith, can become righteous, and hence attained salvation, here and in the afterlife, as a righteous person, to attain eternal life.

This American teaching invented in this North American context, focuses on individual salvation, perfected in personal conversionism, turning from acts of wantoness, and acts of drunkenness, adulterous living, gluttony and avarice, turning to Christ Jesus, holding him as the centre of his life and trusted in his righteousness and deeds of righteousness, striving to lead a life pattern by personal piety of studying the Bible, church attendance, prayer, and being a witness to this faith by leading others into this faith.

In short, “the old has passed, the new has come, behold, I have made everything new.” This teaching focuses on the new birth as if this converted person has not done any deeds of sin or crime. A person in Christ is regarded as a new person, his righteousness is “imputed” onto him by Christ's acts of self sacrifice and his teaching.

Perhaps the best way that I can see this faith is in its teaching, that God was in Christ, focused on the individual, and salvation is all but for the individual person.

I was a faithful follower of this way. Converted at the age of 16, dedicated my life to Christ, and his teaching, being a person who attains this teaching, follower of the way, and always in my acts and deeds reflect this way. As a Christian, and a Chinese from Taiwan, China, I thought Chinese culture has nothing to contribute to my person, personal well being, and how to behave. I one time thought that if I married a white girl, that might solve this problem, being able to be embraced by this American culture in every way. Life was not so easy, the more I moved apart and in denial of my Chinese identity, the further I drift. The more I got to see that being a Chinese has a low social standing in this society, and lower than black people. In the eyes of American whites, we are but an oddity, similar to Jews, and to be converted and hold our own social standing, lower than white people and blacks. No matter how much education a Chinese attains, it is the same situation every where. In the more progressive northern states, being a Chinese has a slightly higher status than that of the South, nevertheless, the same lower social status and order that I came to embrace or rather, it was reputed/imputed onto me by my birth. Similar to that American Evangelical teaching, that Christ's own righteousness is imputed onto sinners, my Chinese identity and all that inferior social standing, political standing here in this American nation – has imputed onto me, just because I am a Chinese person.

This understanding is clearer to me now after a few years of Mr Trump's politicization of China threats, and also I see it commonly, every day. I see that also through the eyes of those who suffered this injustice, such as Hispanic people :“these Mexicans.”Migrants and Mexicans are regarded as a threat and lower class, treated as such in this American nation. I see that politicization supported by American Evangelicals, as if it is God given, and their rights. It is seen as an immigration issue, disguised as 'illegals' that are threatening American society, to the point that their elevated status is threaten. American Evangelicals, supported this ideology by votes and action. Their action speaks louder than words, always holding the moral high ground as the elect, that God has chosen them to lead this American country out of the miry of sin and despair, and that they shall manifest God's destiny in this way. Their religious faith being the forefront of this fight. Hence, many of these White American Evangelicals, as in the lead to fight against the unrighteous, drunken and rapist illegals, who also import covid pandemic through their massive emigration through southern borders.

Why is this political topic important in the discussion of Chinese classical view of soteriology? In ancient Chinese, “nature” as heaven imputed onto Chinese is something good, kind and if I may use Christian words, “illustrious.” It is because this nature is an emanation from the heavens. Departure from this goodness, is common and as a result, Huang-Di in his conversation leading to the description of eventual sickness and disease. He does not preach eternal life, but a good life that ends well through self discipline and good living.

American soteriology is about the salvation of individuals who attained this blessing and shall inherit this land. Much of inheriting this land resulted in genocide of previous residents, millions perished because God has not chosen them, but these newly arrived European immigrants. Not that they are smarter, but this one thing they do, pursuing and pushing and clearing the land from these none-humans, “Indians.” These are pagans, to be converted by the sword or death, brought under subjugation for the sake of Christ, and his kingdom. Indeed, history belongs to the victors. These victors then divided up the land according to their own image and after their likeness, and of course, this anger comes again when pagans and these ugly Mexicans are invading this American land and taking away their God given rights.

There is this stark contrast between American Evangelical faith to that of ancient Chinese Classics.

Our Chinese Classic teaches that “mandate of heaven” is what defines human nature, and understanding that and attaining this heaven given nature, is the way/Dao, as the process to attain this way, is the teaching that comes from generations of those who had attained this life here on earth. This word “teaching” is that of ancients from China, and as Christian, we have a Master who taught us how to be. This is the same context of Christianity when translated into modern Chinese as “Christ's teaching.”

In order to understand and attain this doctrine, sages and holy ones from Chinese past history learned that this was seldom far from each of us, and when in action and behaviours, themselves strive to behave in that way, without departing to the left or to the right. It brings peace when all action ceases to be, and this peace is the evident and visible sign of one who is on the way. This is the simplest Chinese soteriology. Salvation is to return to that illustrious nature given by the heavens, and as this mandate is evident to us, we know in our hearts, right from wrong, and if we do not know acts of right from wrong, we can be taught from ancient Chinese Classics. These teachings have accumulated years and generations of practice, and come down to us, some five thousand years ago, crystallized by Confucius, Laotse, and sages and holy men from the past. Sometimes, it helps with a different perspective, such as brought in from India, Buddhism, or by ancient Christians from Persia, or Manicheans or those sages from the West, through Silk Road trades and flourished for a time. Nevertheless, ancient Chinese were able to convert these and absorbed them for Chinese use, for a better living.

Ancient Chinese medical text testified that people departed from ways of “truth” “goodness” and “empty-state.” Their lives have been cut short, and suffered various illness. These habits can be mended through an understanding of how to be, and how to behave. Attaining this ideal, is similar to that of YiChing's 54th hexagram, that we shall return to that of our nature, that attaining, and returning to that which was formed, is the salvation in Chinese context, the great righteousness.

As it was said, “humans follow the way of the earth, and earth to heaven, heaven to dao, and dao/this way follows nature/itself, that of itself, as it was.” This way is never far from us. We do not need Western missionaries from the West, through wars, and acts of aggression, through subjugation, and destruction of our land, or to caricature our own image or to regard us, Chinese, as lower than them, as it once was said in the Psalms, “Thou hast regarded man, lower than the angels.” Indeed, we are lower than these White American masters. They beat us in every way, they run our schools, and our kids cannot move upward due to their restrictions. They show us how to behave, and grant us to look at them, and their beauties. They imputed onto us, the white features, but given us an ugly image, of slanted eye, evil eye Chinese look, as if that is how we should look at ourselves. Theirs is the right to the Kingdom, ours, is the right to be beneath them, even in American religious world, no one scarcely look at us. The more we imitate them, and sound like them, the less we imitate Christ, and his teaching. Expansion and greed is the American way, ours is to imitate that, and to be converted so that we can sit beneath them, as in the Psalms, “Sit on my right hand, and I will make enemies a footstool for your feet.” Yes, to be a foot stool for their feet, our faith has taught us that. I am just getting tired of it, so now I am looking at ancient Chinese Classics, and the more I look, the less likely I am impressed by these Americans.

I am returning to that of my forefathers' way and this is Chinese soteriology. An answer to modern Americans, as their churches are laying waste, massive expatiated from their midst. Why such a horrible destruction? May I suggest that American faith does not work, and American rule is no longer the case. As Yang spoke to their Blinken at Anchorage, “You have no right to speak from a position of strength.” In order to attain Christ's teaching, I suggest, we shall return to that eternal way, the dao, which is no far from all of us. We are a proud people, and we have our way, and why not look into it, and be humble enough to learn from this source of living water? As the holy scripture teaches, “those who believe me, out of their bellies shall flow waters of living stream.”

Indeed, ancients taught, Dao is not far from us, from those who are illiterate, or stupid or simple. Those things we regard as the way, is not. It is often and manifested in the nature that Heavens has imputed onto us, when we see acts of humanity, righteousness, acts of li (rites), or through wisdom, we are seekers of the way, as ancient Christians. Indeed, theirs is the Father Abraham, but Christ saw through all that, told them, “Yours is the devil, as your father.” Theirs is the way to destroy other nations and race and culture. I say, ours, is the way to imitate that of the nature of peace, and median way. There is no easy passage, but to depart from this way, is the way that leads to death, and wide as it is, smooth and broad is the way that leads to destruction. I choose life, I choose to live in a way handed down from ancients of my forefathers. I shall continue to tread lightly, confidently, and on my way. This is my Chinese soteriology.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

A Response

A Response to our American Pandemic:
I think, if I am correct, federal government cannot just come in and order states what to do - that is unAmerican. They can only hold onto a thinly disguise constitution which conflicts between state rights and federal rights, Conservatives allow more state rights and so they cannot intervene, and the only thing the Feds can do is to stockpile for themselves -exactly what they are doing. taking n95 masks and so we cannot access these that are being manufactured in America.
Americans also believe in competition, and freedom to do so. All states are now competing to show the world which states program is best. So there is no unified responses.
I would urge people not just to blame this administration but to look at their own Americaness deeply. Is it "liberty and the pursue of happiness" that is responsible for our pandemic - and I think it is. American system is inherently unstable and weak and cannot formulate a unified response when something like this happens, Another words, American system is weak and chaotic when it comes to a level extinction event. They do not have a strong central government, but they have a white house pulpit and a voice, and seems only a voice, no action,.
And our frustration is that as a company/enterprise, they have a bottom line - stock market - and selfish interests, instead of altruism and a desire to see others do well. This American competitiveness between states, and between rich and poor, and even between businesses and people - is exactly what will kill us all. Competition at a time of natural disaster is a false premise to maintain a free and open society.
What good would it do, if we stock up on guns and food, should our American society collapse? And it is coming.
Society is collapsing.
Instead of worrying about a "totalitarian" state sch as China, we should look at how an open society kills her residents through irresponsible acts: first to do nothing. and then for those healthcare professionals, they try to kill them by forbidding them to wear protective gears (somethings rip their n95 masks off their faces - and threaten them to fire them),
An "Open Society" has gone "totalitarian" by forbidding people to wear protective gears, and fired whistle blowers in the process. It is bad for business and creates panic,. so they say.
I think American society is oppressive.
If you are poor - you are doomed. In this pandemic, you are destined to die - since poor does not have adequate PPEs and cannot afford them. Homeless will do us all in, they are the reservoir of virus and in the end, they will maintain this virus in human population,. and we have at least 30 millions to 40 millions of the poor, living in cramp spaces, taking public transportation, and of course, not wearing a mask, they will make sure the revenge comes from their bodies.
I think as a frontline HCW - our frustration is about this oppressive system that is both selfish, irresponsible and free,. this is what kills us. The Feds is only a small picture, Feds care about money and the stock market, and medical offices and insurance companies care about money and their selfish interests, and regular Americans who can, stock up on ammunition and guns because they also know - no one will come for them, they have to fend off thugs who will eventually come in to rob them of their vital supplies, Greed and selfishness is the American way, and in this extinction level event, SARS CoV-2 does not distinguish nationalities and political systems, they will kill anyone, and that is final.
Staying alive is the basic human right.
America chooses who gets to stay alive and who dies. This is a practice we used to blame on the "totalitarian states" one such as China, look at them, they are happy and rejoicing that their commies come for them and look at us, "free: Americans hiding and fearful. This is the most disgusting thing I hear, about "Freedom and liberty and the pursue of irresponsible happiness." And of course, we will just keep on going, and kill a few, and when 1/2 millions are dead, and buried and cremated we will hail this pandemic a success, and huge success and we have finally beat the Chinese and because of our free society, we won. Yea, we won, a lot of us died in that process to pay for this freedom. As they say, "freedom is not cheap." In our case, we have to die to pay for these irresponsible freedom seekers, one such, is an anti-mask activist. Remember, his name is Chris Nelson, he is a devout Christian and a Florida resident. Remember to see how this all ends for him. God luck dude.
God Bless America.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Wear Your Mask

this is the reason why China has won this biological warfare, and we lost. Lost badly, with 99.97 percent as they claimed to be the recovery rate,. I have heard a few death everytime I talked to people. Pleasant Bay Nursing - at least 60 out of 90, Pleasant Bay Nursing Home is about 2 miles from me. Chris my friend lost 2 of his dear friends in their 50s' , just like me, and patient who worked at AA as a flight attendant both of them got sick, called my from the Hospital two months ago, worrying about me since I saw her as a patient earlier on (20 days ago), another patient lost a friend to it. And my latest source told me that a client of hers passed, as the plague started from P-Town.

At the start of the plague, I started sewing, and giving away masks. People thought that was crazy. That was back in Feb, virtually everyone refused to wear a mask, so everyone was an anti-mask activist. When I made masks available, someone specifically asked whether these were "clean" and safe, and then my post was taken down. That person is wearing a mask today because of Governor Baker, whose track record is better than those of Texas, Florida and California.

And those whom I gave masks, esp n95 masks, most of them would not use them when they came into contact w clients, and patients. Corporate America refused to let them use it,. and it went on during the plague for another critical 3 weeks, until they finally were allowed to use cheap surgical masks, far less effective than n95,. And n95s sold on the black market for 17 to 50 a piece. Civilians would be fine w regular medical surgical masks, since they do not come into contact with patients or clients frequently.

No one takes this seriously.

I see beautiful people walking about, without masks. They know it is safe here, and they dine in restaurants without masks, sitting so close to each other. Beaches, by now would be teemed with beautiful bodies, without masks, and I have even caught my kid almost sneaked out to a sleep over with her friends, without masks in my own house and my wife OK this. I mean, I maintain a quarantine for nothing, if anyone can just wonder through - because they think it is safe.

It is not.

We lost this war,. now we have to count the bodies and need to bury them when the time comes. This is not the worse of this war - yet. We will need more bode bags. This time, young, beautiful slender bodies, w tatoos and nice hair or beard. Young lives would be lost, and if that anti mask activist is right, the revoery rate is 99.99999999 whatever, but it happens because someone in school gave it to you, or someone your friend gave it to you, or someone whom you think is safe, gave it to you, and a "cytokine storm" happened to be in your beautiful body and you die, that is a statistic. Sorry. Very sorry.

I have donned two coats of PPE, two layers of gloves, modified my clinic to have negative pressure, washed and mopped my clinic floor w bleach between patients, kept door locked while having
  one or two of my patients inside the building (one for dental cleaning), instruct my hygienists to wear n95 (not every one is compliant) or PAPR. I wear that hood 8 hours to 9 hours daily, without taking it off, and tried to survive 80 plus degrees and 80 percent humidiyt, just to see my patients - to be sure they are safe and I am safe.


And then you have idiots, people who refuse to do masks or quarantine.

We have lost this war, next is to wait for the tsunami to hit us with the dead and the bodies will pile up, wherever they are.

And it is not to late. We can still do this, so wear a mask while in public, and do not allow others in your house without a mask on and stop schools from opening, until this plague is over and taken seriously.

I am an Aquarius, and unfortunately I can see things before they happen. No one listens. I accept that, but as my duty, I still have to sound the alarm, that is my lot in life. It's like Taiwan is a part of China, and our President will get re-elected, God wills that, nothing to do with me,

Still do wear your mask and make sure those you know, wear one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsqMg7KDAWY

Monday, April 13, 2020

Doing Church

 Let me help you with my version of what a church is. Church, in the original language, was ekkelesia, which has the meaning of a group of individuals called out to form a community. Over the years, politics and power made it an entity to control peoples behaviours and to collect money/taxes, as it dominated peoples lives from cradle to grave. Of course, the promise of heaven and the punishment of hell reinforces this idea. Since Enlightenment and eventual evolution of modern science, church felt threatened and laid even stricter rules of conduct and behaviours, particularly inthe area of human reproduction and roles of men and women, Church is shocked by modernity and at this time, reduces to four walls and hiding from the public, My branch of faith, called fundamentalism actively tried to turn back the tide and legislate their own branch of faith into public squares, finding as many political allies and supreme court justices and political action committees, all these efforts cannot hide the fact that it is dying,. and as it dies, more struggle it gives.

Kids raised today are devoid of miraculous and this beauty of faith - how people can do things for others, without asking anythingin return. This was how this country began, a small group of people came here to have their own way of life and conduct without being punished by the state, and locals helped them to get established, and they did so without asking anything , even in the end, this ushered in their own demise, Yes during a struggle to make this a nation, many others died and without asking anything in return. This religion, or church is called America, with her own ways of individualism and enterprises. 

A church is being formed out of the four walls of older church buildings, and I found that at our local farmers market. I find God in growing garlic and lettuce and raise chickens. and in that greeningof out Christianity, I see hope, a greener , gentler and kinder America who is now reduced to hiding behind our homes and being told to shelter in place. I see this as an opportunity to reach out and to help others and to assure them that we are still here, the church is still intact, and that after this covid 19, individuals can come together to bring about a better community, and do things for others that we each would also benefit from. A church, simply put is a community of good people, doing good and bring about goodness into the open and if Jesus helps you to do that, so be it, or for me a beautiful garlic, shining and covers in the glorious morning sun and dew. In that mist of mystery, I see humanity and God and Jesus and that frighten young unwed teenager girl Mary, and all those who preceded me, yes, I should have gone to seminary and become a minister, but here i am a minister on my own and in my garden. Church , ekklesia, is a group of people, called out, for a purpose and that call is still there, urgent as ever.